Annual gala shows that music does what medicine can't

Dressed in their finest, nearly 800 prominent Albertans shared their love for the arts and appreciation for continuing care on Friday, at the annual Valentine’s Gala hosted by Edmonton Opera and the CapitalCare Foundation.

This highly anticipated event has already raised $91,000 in donations made that night. The total funds raised is expected to easily surpass the initial $300,000, which is comprised of the donations made that night, a matching donation from the Dianne & Irving Kipnes Foundation, and proceeds from table sales. The funds are then split between the Edmonton Opera and the CapitalCare Foundation.

Inspired by Edmonton Opera’s recent production of Die Fledermaus, the night was Viennese-themed, and, as always, the Edmonton Opera and the CapitalCare Foundation proved the healing power of music.

A video featuring the Harvest Moon Ball, with performances by the EO Chorus and Royal Canadian Artillery at the Kipnes Centre for Veterans, showed that the chorus’ repertoire includes not only operatic works, but also wartime classics. This knowledge comes in handy when they perform at the CapitalCare continuing care facilities — in this case, many residents at the veterans’ centre, including those with mobility challenges or memory loss, can’t help but smile, sing along, or even get up and dance a little.